Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

A shield that is attachable to a touch sensitive screen is disclosed. The
shield may be attached to the touch sensitive screen only at its outer
peripheral portion. An air gap is enclosed between the shield and the
touch sensitive screen to form a planar air bearing. The shield
preferably does not touch the active area of the touch sensitive screen
when the user is not touching the shield but only viewing the touch
sensitive screen through the shield. This mitigates unwanted optical
artifacts such as trapped air bubbles, Newton rings and chromatic
interference while maintaining the sensitivity of the touch sensitive
screen.

Claims:

1-15. (canceled)

16. A method for protecting a touch screen of an electronic device having
a front face that includes a touch screen portion and an outer perimeter,
which method comprises: providing a touch screen protector comprising a
film having front and back sides, an outer perimeter that essentially
corresponds to the outer perimeter of the touch screen of the front face
of the device, and a transparent window that essentially corresponds in
size to that of the touch screen portion; a spacer provided on the back
side of the film along the outer perimeter thereof and continuously
surrounding the transparent window so as to trap air between the film and
the touch screen portion with the spacer having a thickness sufficient to
space the film near but not in contact with the touch screen; an exposed
adhesive on one side of the spacer that faces the touch screen, with the
exposed adhesive having sufficient adhesiveness to mount the touch screen
protector onto the touch screen; and a joining adhesive for adhering the
spacer to the back side of the film; and removably attaching the touch
screen protector upon the touch screen of the device via the exposed
adhesive to form a space between the transparent window of the film, the
spacer and the touch screen portion of the device.

17. A method for protecting a touch sensitive screen of an electronic
device with a shield, the touch sensitive screen having an active area
and an inactive area, the method comprising: removing at least a portion
of a protective liner from the shield to expose an adhesive applied about
an outer periphery of the shield; aligning the shield so that the outer
periphery of the shield is positioned over the inactive area of the touch
sensitive screen; and applying pressure to the outer periphery of the
shield so that the adhesive attaches the shield to the touch sensitive
screen, wherein at least a portion of the attached shield is lifted off
the active area of the touch sensitive screen, and wherein air is trapped
between the attached shield, the active area of the touch sensitive
screen, and the adhesive.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the adhesive applied about the outer
periphery of the shield has a thickness sufficient to lift the attached
shield off the active area of the touch sensitive screen.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the shield comprises a base layer and
an annular film layer applied about an outer periphery on an underside of
the base layer, the adhesive being applied on an exposed surface of the
annular film, and wherein the annular film and the adhesive have a
combined thickness sufficient to lift the attached shield off the active
area of the touch sensitive screen.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the wherein the removing step
includes removing an outer peripheral portion of the protective liner
from the shield to expose the adhesive and to create a step between a
remaining portion of the protective liner and a base layer, and wherein
attaching the shield to the touch sensitive screen applies tension to the
base layer, the tension causing at least a portion of the shield to lift
off the active area of the touch sensitive screen.

21. A combination touch screen device and protective shield, the
combination comprising: a touch sensitive screen for an electronic
device, the touch sensitive screen comprising an active area and an
inactive area; and a shield having an adhesive layer surrounding a
central portion of the shield, the adhesive being applied only to the
inactive area so that no part of the shield contacts the active area of
the touch sensitive screen, the shield being mounted to the touch
sensitive screen via the adhesive layer so that the central portion of
the shield covers at least a portion of the active area of the touch
sensitive screen, wherein the shield is mounted to the touch sensitive
screen so that the central portion of the shield is lifted off the touch
sensitive screen, and wherein the shield is further mounted to the touch
screen device so that the active area of the electronic device maintains
touch sensitivity through the mounted shield.

22. The combination touch screen device of claim 21, wherein the shield
is further mounted to the touch screen device so that air is trapped
between the shield, the touch sensitive screen, and the adhesive layer,
the trapped air forming a continuous and planar air bearing between the
central portion of the shield and the active portion of the touch
sensitive screen.

23. The combination touch screen device of claim 21, wherein the shield
further comprises a liner layer attached to an interior side of a base
layer, the liner layer having an outer periphery smaller than an outer
periphery of the base layer so as to form a step between the interior
side of the base layer and the liner layer, wherein the step places the
base layer into tension, and wherein the tension lifts the central
portion of the shield to lift off the touch sensitive screen.

24. The combination touch screen device of claim 21, wherein the adhesive
layer is sufficiently thick so that the central portion of the attached
shield lifts off the touch sensitive screen.

25. The combination touch screen device of claim 21, wherein the shield
comprises a base layer and an annular film layer between the base layer
and the adhesive layer, the annular film layer surrounding the central
portion of the shield, wherein a combined thickness of the annular film
layer and the adhesive layer lifts the central portion of the attached
shield off the touch sensitive screen.

26. The combination touch screen device of claim 21, wherein the adhesive
layer is attached primarily about the inactive area of the touch
sensitive screen so that an air gap exists between the shield and a
majority of the active area of the touch sensitive screen.

27. The combination touch screen device of claim 26, wherein the adhesive
is applied only to the inactive area so that no part of the shield
contacts the active area of the touch sensitive screen.

28. A method for protecting a touch sensitive screen of an electronic
device, the touch sensitive screen defining a shape having an active area
and an inactive area, the method comprising: providing a shield having a
base layer defining a shape that corresponds to the shape of the touch
sensitive screen, the base layer having a central portion that
corresponds to the active area of the touch sensitive screen and an outer
peripheral portion that corresponds to the inactive area of the touch
sensitive screen, the shield further having a pressure sensitive adhesive
layer disposed about at least a portion of the outer peripheral portion;
aligning the shield over the touch sensitive screen so that the pressure
sensitive adhesive layer is positioned over the inactive area of the
touch sensitive screen; and applying pressure around the outer peripheral
portion of the shield to secure the shield to the electronic device so
that at least a portion of the central portion of the attached shield is
lifted off the touch sensitive screen.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the base layer is formed from a
flexible material.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of applying pressure around
the outer peripheral portion of the shield traps air between the attached
shield, the active area of the touch sensitive screen, and the pressure
sensitive adhesive layer, and wherein the trapped air forms a continuous
planar air bearing between the central portion of the shield and the
active area of the touch sensitive screen.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the active area of the touch
sensitive screen maintains touch sensitivity through the attached shield.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of providing a shield
comprises applying the pressure sensitive adhesive about the outer
peripheral portion of the shield such that the pressure sensitive
adhesive has a thickness that causes the central portion of the shield to
lift off of the touch sensitive screen.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the shield further comprises a
protective liner attached to an underside of the base layer, wherein the
pressure sensitive adhesive is applied between the base layer and the
protective liner.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the protective liner has a central
portion corresponding to the central portion of the base layer and an
outer peripheral portion corresponding to the outer peripheral portion of
the base layer, further comprising the step of removing the outer
peripheral portion of the protective liner from the base layer to expose
the pressure sensitive adhesive layer and to form a step between the base
layer and the attached central portion of the protective liner, wherein
during the step of applying pressure around the outer peripheral portion
of the shield, the step places the base layer into tension, and wherein
the tension causes the central portion of the shield to lift off the
touch sensitive screen.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the shield further comprises an
annular layer interposed between the outer peripheral portion of the base
layer and the pressure sensitive adhesive layer, wherein the annular
layer and the pressure sensitive adhesive layer have a combined thickness
sufficient to lift the central portion of the attached shield off the
touch sensitive screen.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the annular layer is formed from a
film material.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the annular layer is formed from an
opaque material to hide air bubbles between the shield and the touch
sensitive screen when the shield is attached to the touch sensitive
screen.

38. The method of claim 28, wherein the shield comprises an opaque border
printed about the outer peripheral portion of the base layer.

39. The method of claim 28, wherein the inactive area of the touch
sensitive screen comprises at least one of a physical button and a
speaker, and wherein the shield further comprises at least one cutout
that corresponds to the physical button or speaker.

[0004] Electronic devices such as the iPhone have a touch sensitive screen
by which the user may operate the electronic device. The touch sensitive
screen displays electronic buttons and search boxes that the user can
select by touch. These touch sensitive screens are very large and subject
to cracking and scratching during normal use by the user as well as when
the electronic device is dropped. The resulting damage may be costly to
repair and may require replacement of the entire electronic device or
phone. Accordingly, there is a need for a low cost device that will
cushion and absorb an impact that could break or scratch the glass face
of the electronic device and yet not interfere with the functionality and
sensitivity of the touch screen or the quality of the image displayed on
the screen.

[0005] Prior art films do exist that are adhered to the touch sensitive
screen. Unfortunately, these protective films leave unsightly air bubbles
between the transparent protective film and the transparent glass of the
electronic device. Moreover, these films provide no impact absorption
protection to the glass face.

[0006] Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an improved
protective film for touch sensitive screens.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] The touch screen shield disclosed herein addresses the needs
discussed above, discussed below and those that are known in the art.

[0008] The touch screen shield disclosed herein may comprise a base
transparent layer that is attached to a touch sensitive screen of an
electronic device. A planar air bearing may be formed between the base
transparent layer and the touch sensitive screen by attaching only the
outer peripheral portion of the base transparent layer to the touch
sensitive screen. The air gap may be continuous and planar between the
base transparent layer and the touch sensitive screen by adhering a
protective liner to the underside of the base transparent layer. The
protective liner has an outer periphery which is smaller than the outer
periphery of the base transparent layer so as to form a step. When the
outer peripheral portion of the base transparent layer is adhered to the
touch sensitive screen, the base transparent layer is placed into tension
by the step thereby lifting the protective liner above and off of the
touch sensitive screen. Additionally, the adhesive surrounding the base
transparent layer forms an enclosed air gap and traps air between the
base transparent layer and the touch sensitive screen. These factors
promote formation of the planar air bearing between the base transparent
layer and the touch sensitive screen.

[0009] The air gap between the base transparent layer and the touch
sensitive screen may also be formed by forming a thick adhesive layer at
the outer peripheral portion of the base transparent layer. The adhesive
is sufficiently thick so that the base transparent layer is lifted off of
the touch sensitive screen when the touch screen shield is mounted to the
electronic device.

[0010] It is also contemplated that in any of the embodiments discussed
herein of the shield, one or more sacrificial layers may be mounted on
top of the base transparent layer. The sacrificial layers may be removed
one at a time from top to bottom as the top most sacrificial layer is
damaged. The additional layers provide additional impact protection and
retains flexibility so that touch sensitivity of the touch sensitive
screen is not compromised.

[0011] It is also contemplated that the shield may be formed with an
opaque border (e.g., black, pattern, etc.) to hide air bubbles that might
form between the outer peripheral portion of the base transparent layer
and the touch sensitive screen.

[0012] More particularly, a transparent shield for a touch sensitive
screen of a device is disclosed. The shield may comprise a first
transparent layer, a thin layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and a
second transparent layer. The first transparent layer may define opposed
first and second sides. The first transparent layer may also define an
outer periphery. The thin layer of pressure sensitive adhesive may be
disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the second side of the first
transparent layer. The second transparent layer may define opposed first
and second sides. The first side of the second transparent layer may be
attached to a central portion of the second side of the first transparent
layer. An outer periphery of the second transparent layer may be smaller
than the outer periphery of the first transparent layer so as to define a
step.

[0013] The outer peripheral portion of the first transparent layer may be
attached to the device so that the central portion of the second side of
the first transparent layer is positioned on top of the touch sensitive
screen of the device. The first transparent layer may be placed in
tension when the outer peripheral portion of the first transparent layer
is attached to the device.

[0014] The shield may further comprise adhesive disposed between the
central portion of the second side of the first transparent layer and the
second transparent layer for attaching the first and second transparent
layer to each other. The adhesive disposed on the outer peripheral
portion of the second side of the first transparent layer may be
protected by a removable liner. The adhesive may form an enclosed air gap
between the shield and touch sensitive screen. The enclosed air gap may
form a planar air bearing.

[0015] The shield may further comprise one or more transparent sacrificial
layers peelably removable from each other and the first side of the first
transparent layer so that a top most sacrificial layer may be removed as
desired. The first and second transparent layers may be thicker compared
to the one or more sacrificial layers. The sacrificial layers may have
staggered tabs for assisting in the peeling of the top most sacrificial
layer. A peel value between the sacrificial layers may be progressively
stronger as the top most sacrificial layer is peeled away.

[0016] The adhesive and the first and second transparent layers may have a
difference in index of refraction less than 0.2.

[0017] The shield may further comprise an opaque annular film at an outer
peripheral portion of the first transparent layer.

[0018] Moreover, a transparent shield for a touch sensitive screen of a
device is disclosed. The shield may comprise a first transparent layer
and a pressure sensitive adhesive. The first transparent layer may define
opposed first and second sides. The pressure sensitive adhesive may be
disposed only at an outer peripheral portion of the second side of the
first transparent layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive may be
sufficiently thick so as to form an air gap between the first transparent
layer and the touch sensitive screen when the shield is mounted to the
electronic device. The air gap may be a planar air bearing.

[0019] The outer peripheral portion of the first transparent layer may be
attached to the device so that the central portion of the second side of
the first transparent layer is positioned on top of the touch sensitive
screen of the device.

[0020] The shield may further comprise one or more transparent sacrificial
layers peelably removable from each other and the first side of the first
transparent layer so that a top most sacrificial layer may be removed as
desired.

[0021] The shield may further comprise an opaque annular film at an outer
peripheral portion of the first transparent layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments
disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following
description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts
throughout, and in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded top view of an electronic device with a
shield mountable thereon;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the shield shown in FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the shield mounted to the
electronic device shown in FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the
shield shown in FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the
shield and the electronic device shown in FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 6 is a top view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 with
a shield having an opaque border for hiding air bubbles;

[0029] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a shield
with an opaque border attached to the electronic device shown in FIG. 6;

[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of a shield
with an opaque border attached to the electronic device shown in FIG. 6;

[0031] FIG. 9 is a top view of a stack of sacrificial layers with tabs for
peeling a topmost layers, the stack being mountable to the shield shown
in FIGS. 1-8;

[0032] FIG. 10 is a top view of a stack of sacrificial layers with a stair
step configuration for peeling a topmost layer, the stack being mountable
to the shield shown in FIGS. 1-8;

[0033] FIG. 11A is a cross sectional view of the stair step shown in FIG.
10; and

[0034] FIG. 11B is an alternative arrangement to the stair step shown in
FIG. 11A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Referring now to the drawings, a shield 10 for a touch sensitive
screen 12 is shown. The shield 10 protects the touch sensitive screen 12
from scratches, impacts, etc. The shield 10 is damaged instead of the
touch sensitive screen 12. When the shield 10 is scratched, dented, etc.
to a degree that makes viewing the touch sensitive screen 12 unacceptable
for the user, the shield 10 may be replaced with a new shield 10.
Optionally, the shield 10 may have one or more sacrificial layers 14
which may be individually peeled off from each other starting from the
top most layer going down to the base shield 10 as the top most
sacrificial layer 14 is damaged. The sacrificial layers 14a-h may be
mounted on top of the shield 10, 10a. When the shield 10 is attached to
the touch sensitive screen 12, an air gap 16 (see FIG. 3) may be formed
between the shield 10 and an active area 18 of the touch sensitive screen
12. The air gap 16 eliminates unwanted optical artifacts such as trapped
area bubbles, Newton rings and chromatic interference while maintaining
the sensitivity of the touch sensitive screen 12.

[0036] The air gap 16 may be formed by providing a base transparent layer
20 which defines an exposed side 22 and an interior side 24 (see FIG. 3).
The interior side 24 may be coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive 26
(e.g., acrylic adhesive). The pressure sensitive adhesive 26 may cover
the entire interior side 24 of the base transparent layer 20. A
protective liner 28 may cover the pressure sensitive adhesive 26 coated
on the interior side 24 and be attached to the protective liner 28. When
the shield 10 is ready to be mounted to the touch sensitive screen 12, an
outer peripheral portion 30 (see FIG. 2) or annulus of the protective
liner 28 may be removed from the base transparent layer 20 to expose the
adhesive 26 only at the outer peripheral portion of the base transparent
layer 20 on the interior side 24. A step 27 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is formed
at the outer peripheral edge of the protective liner 28. The shield 10
may be attached to the touch sensitive screen 12 as shown in FIG. 3. More
particularly, the entire outer periphery of the base transparent layer 20
may be adhered to the touch sensitive screen 12 so as to form an enclosed
air gap 16 and form a planar air bearing. The base transparent layer 20
is tensioned about the step 27. Since an interior side 32 (see FIG. 3) of
the protective liner 28 does not have any adhesive, a continuous air gap
16 may be formed between the protective liner 28 and the exposed side 34
of the touch sensitive screen 12.

[0037] Alternatively, a base transparent layer 20a may be provided with an
adhesive 26a only on the outer peripheral portion 36 of the base
transparent layer 20a, as shown in FIG. 4. The shield 10 may be attached
to the touch sensitive screen 12 by way of the adhesive 26a, as shown in
FIG. 5. The adhesive 26a may be sufficiently thick such that upon
adhesion of the base transparent layer 20a to the touch sensitive screen
12, air gap 16a is formed, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0038] Moreover, it is contemplated that an opaque film 52 (see FIGS. 6-8)
may be disposed at the outer peripheral portion 36 of the base
transparent layer 20 to hide any air bubbles 60 that might form between
the outer peripheral portion 36 of the base transparent layer 20 and the
touch sensitive screen 12.

[0039] More particularly, referring now back to FIG. 1, an electronic
device 38 such as an iPhone is shown. It is also contemplated that the
electronic device 38 may be any type of visual display for photographs,
video, etc. The electronic device 38 may have a touch sensitive screen 12
which allows a user to operate the electronic device 38. The touch
sensitive screen 12 may define an active area 18. In the active area 18,
the user may depress various electronic buttons, keys, etc.
electronically displayed on the active area 18 to operate the electronic
device 38 so as to play video, navigate, start applications, etc. The
active area 18 may be disposed adjacent or enclosed within an inactive
area 42.

[0040] The active area 18 of the touch sensitive screen 12 may be
protected by disposing the shield 10 over the touch sensitive screen 12.
To this end, the shield 10 may be adhered to the touch sensitive screen
12 wherein only the outer peripheral portion of the shield 10 is adhered
to the touch sensitive screen 12. A continuous air gap 16 may exist
between the central portion 44 of the shield 10 and the touch sensitive
screen 12. Preferably, the adhesive 26 used to adhere the outer
peripheral portion of the shield 10 to the touch sensitive screen 12
contacts only the inactive area 42. However, it is also contemplated that
the adhesive 26 may adhere the shield 10 also to an outer peripheral
portion of the active area 18.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the shield 10 may comprise the base
transparent layer 20. The base transparent layer 20 may be fabricated
from a transparent material (e.g., biaxially-oriented polyethylene
terephalate material (boPET), etc.). The base transparent layer 20 may be
approximately 4 mil thick (i.e., 0.004''). Adhesive 26 may be coated on a
majority, if not the entire, interior side 24 of the base transparent
layer 20. To protect the adhesive 26 from dirt and grime prior to
installation on the touch sensitive screen, the protective liner 28 may
cover the entire interior side 24 of the base transparent layer 20. The
adhesive 26 attaches the protective liner 28 to the base transparent
layer 20. A cut or slit 46 may be made through the protective liner 28 so
as to define an outer peripheral portion 30 or annulus of the protective
liner 28 and a central portion 48 of the protective liner 28. The cut or
slit 46 may be made with a rotary die, steel rule die, lasers or other
methods known in the art.

[0042] When the user is ready to attach the shield 10 to the touch
sensitive screen 12 of the electronic device 38, the user removes the
outer peripheral portion 30 of the protective liner 28 from the shield 10
as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the user may apply a small piece of tape
to the outer peripheral portion 30 and peel the outer peripheral portion
30 off of the base transparent layer 20. This exposes the adhesive 26
only at the outer peripheral portion 36 of the base transparent layer 20.
This also creates the step 27 between the protective layer 28 still
remaining on the base transparent layer 20 and the base transparent layer
20. The user aligns the shield 10 to the touch sensitive screen 12 and
applies pressure to the outer peripheral portion 36 of the base
transparent layer 20 so that the adhesive 26 adheres the base transparent
layer 20 to the touch sensitive screen 12. Preferably, the adhesive 26 is
disposed only on the inactive area 42 of the touch sensitive screen 12.
The adhesive 26 traps air between the base transparent layer 20 and the
touch sensitive screen 12 to form the enclosed air gap 16. Also, the air
gap 16 (see FIG. 3) may define a planar air bearing due to tension
applied to the base transparent layer 20 about the step 27. The enclosed
air gap 16 and the tension lifts the shield 10 off of active area 18 to
form a planar air bearing to mitigate unwanted optical artifacts such as
trapped air bubbles, Newton rings, and chromatic interference while
maintaining the sensitivity of the touch screen. It is also contemplated
that the adhesive 26 may be disposed on a portion of the active area 18
at the outer peripheral portion of the active area 18. In this manner, a
majority of the active area 18 has an air gap 16 between the touch
sensitive screen 12 and the shield 10.

[0043] Optionally, the shield 10 may have one or more sacrificial layers
14a-n. The sacrificial layers 14 may be adhered to each other by way of a
peelable adhesive disposed between each of the sacrificial layers 14 as
well as a bottommost sacrificial layer 14a and the exposed side 22 of the
base transparent layer 20. During use of the electronic device 38, the
topmost sacrificial layer 14c may become dented, scratched, etc. or
otherwise damaged such that viewing through the shield 10 may be
unacceptable. At this point, the topmost sacrificial layer 14c may be
removed (e.g., peeled) from the shield 10. This uncovers a fresh, clean
sacrificial layer 14b. The other sacrificial layers 14b and 14a may be
removed top-down as the topmost sacrificial layer 14 becomes damaged.
There may be one or more sacrificial layers 14a-n or stack of sacrificial
layers 14a-n adhered to the base transparent layer 20. Preferably, there
are between two (2) to ten (10) sacrificial layers 14a-n. The sacrificial
layers 14a-n may be fabricated from a transparent material such as
biaxially-oriented polyethelene terephalate (boPET).

[0044] Referring now to a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a
shield 10a may comprise base transparent layer 20a. A thick coat of
adhesive 26a may be applied only to the underside of the outer peripheral
portion 36a of the base transparent layer 20a. Protective liner 28a may
be placed over the thick adhesive coating 26a to protect the adhesive 26a
from dirt and grime up until prior to installation of the shield 10a to
the touch sensitive screen 12. After removing the protective liner 28a
from the shield 10a, the shield 10a is aligned to the touch sensitive
screen 12. In particular, the adhesive 26a is preferably aligned to the
inactive area 42 of the touch sensitive screen. Air gap 16a is formed
between the base transparent layer 20a and the touch sensitive screen 12.
The thick adhesive 26a lifts the base transparent layer 20a off of the
active area 40 to form the planar air bearing, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0045] Optionally, one or more sacrificial layers 14a-n as discussed above
in relation to FIGS. 2 and 3 may be mounted to the shield 10a. The
sacrificial layers 14a-n may be removed one by one as the topmost
sacrificial layer is damaged (e.g., dented, scratched, etc.).

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, an opaque annular film 52 may be
interposed between the outer peripheral portion 36 of the base
transparent layer 20, 20a and the touch sensitive screen 12. The opaque
annular film 52 may be incorporated into the shields 10, 10a discussed in
relation to FIGS. 2-5. The opaque annular film 52 may be black, dark
color, patterned, etc. so long as the pattern or color hides or mitigates
visibility of air bubbles 60. The opaque transparent layer 52 hides any
air bubbles 60 that may exist when attaching the shield 10, 10a to the
touch sensitive screen 12. FIG. 6 illustrates a black border. However,
upon further inspection of the border area in FIGS. 7 and 8, an air
bubble 60 exists between the shield 10, 10a and the touch sensitive
screen 12. Nonetheless, due to the opaque annular film 52, such air
bubble 60 is not noticeable or is not as noticeable when viewing the
touch sensitive screen 12.

[0047] More particularly, referring now to FIG. 7, the shield 10a may have
an adhesive 26b disposed about the outer peripheral portion 36 of the
base transparent layer 20b. The opaque annular film 52 may be attached to
the base transparent layer 20b by way of the adhesive 26b. Adhesive 54
may now be coated, sprayed or disposed onto the bottom surface of the
opaque annular film 52 for attachment of the shield 10a to the touch
sensitive screen 12. The adhesive 26b may be thin so as to not
appreciably add to the thickness of the base transparent layer 20.
Alternatively, the adhesive 26b or 54 may be thick such as in the
embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 4-5. Nonetheless, the film 52 and/or the
adhesive 26b, 54 may independently or collectively be sufficiently thick
so that the air gap 16a may be formed between the shield 10a and the
touch sensitive screen 12.

[0048] Sacrificial layers 14a-n may be stacked on top of the base
transparent layer 20a as discussed above in relation to FIGS. 2-5.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 8, the shield 10 may also have an opaque
annular film 52. The opaque annular film 52 may be disposed at the outer
peripheral portion 36 of the base transparent layer 20. Preferably, the
opaque annular film 52 and the adhesive 26, 54 is thinner than the
protective liner 28, and more particularly, is thinner than the central
portion 48 of the protective liner 28. The step 27 is formed at the outer
peripheral edge of the protective liner 28. The opaque annular film 52
shown in FIG. 8 is attached to the base transparent layer 20 by way of
adhesive 26. Adhesive 54 may be applied to the underside of the opaque
annular film 52 to attach the shield 10 to the touch sensitive screen 12.
Sacrificial layers 14a-n may also be stacked on top of the base
transparent layer 20 as discussed above in relation to FIGS. 2-5.

[0050] An index of refraction of the adhesive and the transparent material
which forms the sacrificial layers 14a-n, base transparent layer 20 and
the protective liner 28 may have a refraction mismatch of 0.2 to minimize
unwanted internal reflection, haze, maximize transmissions and contrast
of the screen and to maintain the high brightness and contrast of the
visual objects displayed on the touch sensitive screen 12. It is also
contemplated that the upper surface of each of the sacrificial layers 14
and the exposed side 22 of the base transparent layer 20 may have a thin
hard coating. The adhesive that attaches each of the sacrificial layers
14 together as well as the stack of sacrificial layers 14 to the base
transparent layer 20 may be provided so that the peel strength is the
same throughout the stack. Alternatively, the bottom most layer 14, 20
may have a higher peel value than the layers 14 above the bottom most
layer 14, 20. In this manner, as the topmost sacrificial layer 14 is
peeled from the lower sacrificial layers 14, the act of peeling the
topmost sacrificial layer 14 does not also peel the lower sacrificial
layers 14. The peel strength may range between about 25 to about 300
grams/inch. The adhesive discussed herein may be permanently attached to
the layer immediately above the adhesive. Accordingly, when the topmost
sacrificial layer 14 is peeled, no residue of the adhesive is left on the
layer below. The exposed or top side of the fresh sacrificial layer 14
mostly, if not entirely is free from adhesive. Additionally, when all of
the sacrificial layers 14 are removed from the shield 10, no adhesive
residue is left on the exposed side 22 of the base transparent layer 20.

[0051] Each of the sacrificial layers 14, base transparent layer 20 and
the protective layer 28 may have a thickness between about 1 mil to about
7 mil with each mil being 0.001'' thick. Unless otherwise stated, the
adhesive layer attaching the sacrificial layers 14 to each other as well
as the sacrificial layers 14 to the base transparent layer 20 may add
negligible thickness to the shield 10, 10a. By way of example and not
limitation, if each of the sacrificial layers 14, the base transparent
layer 20 and the protective layer 28 have a thickness of 2 mil, then the
total thickness of the shield 10 may be 8 mil thick provided that there
are only two sacrificial layers 14 and one base transparent layer 20 and
one protective liner 28.

[0052] The sacrificial layers 14a-n may be stacked upon each other.
Preferably, the sacrificial layers may be generally coextensive with each
other so that the stack of sacrificial layers 14a-n appear to be a single
film. As discussed above, in order to assist in the peeling of only the
top most sacrificial layer 14 while leaving the lower sacrificial layers
14 in place, the adhesive peel strength may be adjusted to be the weakest
at the top most sacrificial layer and stronger as the top most
sacrificial layer is peel away. Alternatively, or additionally, tabs 56
which are shown in FIG. 9 may be formed as part of the sacrificial layers
14. Each of the sacrificial layers 14a-n may be formed with the tab 56
that extends outward as shown in FIG. 9. No adhesive is formed on the
area of the tab 56. Each of the tabs 56 may be offset or staggered with
the tabs 56 of the other sacrificial layers so that the user can pull the
tab 56 of the then top most sacrificial layer at the time to peel off the
top most sacrificial layer 14. Other tabbing systems known in the art may
be incorporated such as those shown and described in relation to Japanese
Kokai Patent Publication Number 4-314537 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,777,055.

[0053] Additionally or alternatively, a peel assist system shown in FIGS.
10-11B may be incorporated into the shield 10, 10a. By way of example and
not limitation, a corner of the shield 10, 10a may have a stair step
configuration. Although the upper left corner of the shield 10, 10a is
shown as having the stair step configuration, any of the other corners,
upper right, lower left and/or right corners may have the stair step
configuration. A first configuration of the stair step is shown in FIG.
11A. Sacrificial layers 14 may be peeled off layer by layer. The top most
sacrificial layer 14 may be peeled off with the aid of a sharp blade or
fingernail that digs between the first and second top most layers 14 as
shown by arrow 62 to initiate peeling of the top most layer 14. FIG. 11B
illustrates a second configuration of the stair step configuration. The
stair step configuration is reverse compared to the stair step
configuration shown in FIG. 11A. The user may lift the top most layer 14
with his or her finger since the top most layer 14 extends over the rest
of the stack of layers 14. The shield 10, 10a has been shown generically
attached to the electronic device 38 for the purposes of clarification.
However, any of the attachment methods discussed herein may be
implemented in the shield 10, 10a embodiments shown in FIGS. 10-11B.

[0054] Certain embodiments of the shield 10 above were directed to a
multi-layer shield 10. Either the base transparent layer 20 was adhered
to a lower protective layer 28 and/or one or more sacrificial layers
14a-n. These layers 20, 28, 14a-n are each adhered to each other. The
layers 20, 28, 14a-n and the adhesive may absorb impact shock caused when
the electronic device 38 is dropped or the touch sensitive screen 12 hits
a solid object. The impact is reduced at each adhesive interface where
the softer adhesive may yield and spread out the impact force laterally
instead of proceeding directly into the glass of the touch sensitive
screen. Additionally, the stacked construction of the shield 10 and the
sacrificial layers 14a-n retain the flexibility or bendability of the
layers to maintain the tactile response for the touch sensitive screen.

[0056] Referring back to FIG. 1, the various embodiments of the shield and
sacrificial layers disclosed herein may be enlarged to cover the front
surface of the electronic device 38. An example of the enlarged shield is
shown in FIG. 1 in hidden lines. Cutouts 58 may be made through the
shield to allow for physical buttons and speakers on the electronic
device 38.

[0057] In lieu of the opaque annular film 52, it is also contemplated that
the base transparent layer 20, 20a may have an opaque printed border
which serves the same function as the opaque annular film 52. The opaque
border on the base transparent layer 20, 20a may be formed by a screen
printing, etc. or other methods known in the art. It is also contemplated
that the adhesive 26, 26a, 26b, 54 may be colored so as to be opaque and
hide the air bubbles 60.

[0058] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could
devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention
disclosed herein, including various ways of forming the slit for the
annular ring. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed
herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and
are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described
herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the
illustrated embodiments.